Read Novel Full Chapter 25.2
Chapter 25.2
The Li Mansion was Li Shu’s territory. He was now engaged in a “high-risk profession”, so to be cautious, he had 1314 make some adjustments. If anything happened at the Li Mansion, he had to know immediately.
Managing the rear was crucial; he didn’t want to admit defeat one day because he neglected the larger picture.
Li Shu leaned against the carriage wall with half closed eyes and casually made a sound of agreement. He didn’t know where the male protagonist intended to take him, the carriage had been on the road for nearly two hours and it still hadn’t reached the destination.
Just when he was wondering when they would arrive, the carriage stopped. Without asking, Qi Mingxuan directly lifted Li Shu and said, “I’ll take you inside.”
This time, Li Shu was brought to an elegant mountain courtyard. He glanced around; compared to the upgradable courtyard Qi Mingxuan had taken him to last time, this one appeared more ordinary. Despite its small size, the arrangement had a unique charm. Every flower, stone, plant and tree showed the owner’s care for this place.
With this, Qi Mingxuan now had two extraordinary residences around the outskirts of the capital. These two places hadn’t appeared in the plot at all, so he was a little curious. “How many houses do you have around the city outskirts?”
He was asking about the suburbs, which naturally meant only the area around the capital. Being able to conceal two such locations under the emperor’s nose revealed a glimpse of the male protagonist’s influence.
“Three, there’s another one a bit farther away, larger than this. If Zi Shu is interested, you can visit it next time.”
The young man lay obediently in his arms. He raised his head slightly when he spoke, revealing his graceful neck and small Adam’s apple. His usually cool and indifferent eyes now carried a childlike curiosity. Qi Mingxuan couldn’t resist and answered all the young man’s questions.
This scene made the man in black trailing behind them keep his head low to hide the shock on his face. His master and Master Li…
He didn’t dare to think more and dared not look. He silently lagged five steps behind the two, not daring to overstep.
There was an old man waiting in the courtyard. Seeing Qi Mingxuan carrying someone off the carriage, he quickly walked over to receive the person. Qi Mingxuan dodged slightly, glanced at the person, and confidently walked ahead while holding the young man. A single glance sent shivers down the person’s spine, causing them to retreat half a step, not daring to approach.
Having brought the person to the prepared room, Qi Mingxuan carefully arranged everything. “The attendants are waiting outside. If you have any requests, you can call them directly. If you’re not comfortable, I can send someone to bring your maid.”
“No need. I’m not that picky.” Li Shu didn’t think twice and directly refused. He was only staying for a day, and bringing his maid would be unnecessary. Besides, he had long been accustomed to living alone and didn’t need anyone to serve him.
“Is Your Highness planning to stay here and not return to the capital?” If both of them disappeared for a day, what would people in the capital think, especially the emperor, who had stationed many eyes around them? Now was not the time to fall out with the emperor.
“The emperor should know about Zi Shu’s injury by now. As for the others, they won’t focus on this for long.”
What can quickly divert someone’s attention? Just throw out something more sensational and controversial. As long as that matter had a significant impact, people wouldn’t care about other trivial matters.
“I’m ready to take action.” Qi Mingxuan sat on the edge of the bed and calmly threw out this sentence.
What? Taking action at this time?! Li Shu was shocked. According to the plot given by the system, the male protagonist did start tightening the net this year, but that was after the drought. Why was it happening so much earlier?
“That’s why I wanted you to come out and avoid it. The scope involved is too great. You already have many enemies, and if you stay in the capital, someone will surely seize this opportunity to bring you down.” ‘And I… I’m afraid I won’t be able to protect you.’
If the young man got hurt because of this incident, Qi Mingxuan wouldn’t be able to forgive himself.
“Why would Your Highness choose to act at this time? Your Highness should know that now is not the best period.” Li Shu sat up straight. Ever since he and Qi Mingxuan spoke last time, Qi Mingxuan didn’t avoid him anymore. Even if he didn’t deliberately inquire, he could still learn about many of Qi Mingxuan’s plans.
He had not heard Qi Mingxuan say that he would set the date around this time.
“Did Your Highness change the plan at the last minute?” Since it was not in the original plan, it must have been that the male protagonist changed the plan halfway.
Li Shu was right. The originally scheduled date was indeed not now, but Qi Mingxuan couldn’t wait any longer. Every additional day meant Li Shu would be in danger longer, something he couldn’t endure.
“Your Highness, why are you doing this?” Trying to advance such a sensitive matter prematurely wasn’t that easy and it would affect many subsequent things. The disapproval on Li Shu’s face was evident. How could such a significant matter be treated lightly?
“Your Highness, have you considered the consequences of doing this? Your Highness shouldn’t proceed like this.” Although he had the protagonist’s halo, what if it failed? His presence had caused a butterfly effect and already altered many plot points. If this incident also stems from the butterfly effect he brought…
“Zi Shu, are you worried about me?” Qi Mingxuan’s eyes carried a hint of amusement and his tone became gentler. “Since I’ve decided to take action, I must be well-prepared. Zi Shu, don’t worry, I won’t act recklessly.”
Because of the young man, he would be even more cautious. In the past, if he failed, it was just death. But now, it is different. If he failed, Li Shu, who was at the center of the vortex, would undoubtedly be torn to pieces. This was an image he absolutely didn’t want to see.
Even for Li Shu’s sake, this plan had to succeed; failure was not an option.
“Your Highness, you know best in your heart.” Revenge was something the male protagonist must personally accomplish. Since Qi Mingxuan claimed this decision wasn’t a result of impulsive emotions, he could only choose to trust the protagonist and see if there was anything he could do in this situation.
Li Shu made a silent decision.
While the days in Xiaobie Manor were peaceful, the outside world ushered in a violent storm. The report detailing the unusual relationship between Li Shu and Prince Qin lay untouched on the desk and no one cared about it.
Just as Qi Mingxuan anticipated, when something more serious and eye-catching happened, who would care about other trivial things.
The emperor sat on the throne, his expression so dark it looked like it could drip ink. The ministers knelt on the ground and prostrated themselves, not daring to make a sound. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the emperor’s anger had reached its peak, only lacking an eruption.
No one wanted to be the catalyst for that explosion. It was a risky task that could lead to death. Look at Eunuch An, he usually dared to jest with the emperor. Now, he resembled a quail, keeping his head down and not daring to speak.
In the pin-drop silence, the sound of footsteps approaching from far away was so obvious. They couldn’t look up, so they had to listen carefully. They heard the footsteps approaching closer and closer, like drum beats in their hearts. One step, two steps, three steps…
The footsteps stopped, followed by the sound of fabric rubbing. The person behind those footsteps spoke, “Son pays respects to Father Emperor.”
It was Prince Qin.
Unlike every previous encounter, the emperor’s mood was indescribably complex when he met his son Qi Mingxuan this time. The two sons he had high hopes for had committed such acts. In contrast, this son, whom he had always overlooked, behaves according to the rules, and never stretches out a hand that shouldn’t be stretched out. Thinking of this, the anger provoked by his unfilial sons subsided slightly. At least, he had a son who listened and didn’t act recklessly. Although this son could not ascend the throne due to various reasons, he did not only have the Eldest Prince and the Fourth Prince to choose from.
“Rise.” The emperor spoke in a voice as gentle as possible.
“Thank you, Father Emperor.”
“We summoned today, you must know some reasons. Your elder brother and fourth brother are not reassuring. They dare to involve themselves in explicitly prohibited matters. It’s you who gives Us peace of mind.” He sighed, resembling a worried old father for his son, “They dare to interfere even in such matters and don’t care about the people. How can We trust them with the heavy responsibility of this nation?”
Allowing high officials to engage in buying and selling official positions, receiving large bribes, even greedily taking the life-saving money meant for disaster victims—if those people became rulers, they would likely spell the downfall of Great Zhou.
He had to plan ahead, but aside from these two sons, when he looked at the harem, he surprisingly couldn’t find a suitable heir. Those little princes had long been neglected under his years of inattention. Xuan’er was a good child, but unfortunately, his mother’s family had committed a grave crime, making him unfit for the throne.
He regretted not paying attention to the harem in the past and let those women harm his children. Unfortunately, it was too late now.
Qi Mingxuan stood respectfully at the bottom, not daring to interrupt. He knew he absolutely couldn’t answer those words. From beginning to end, his good father had never included him in the list of potential heirs. If he wanted that position, he had to fight for it himself.
Unexpectedly, the emperor suddenly changed the subject and brought up his marriage.
“We remember you’ve reached the age of twenty. Is there any woman you fancy? Your other royal brothers are already married with children. It’s time for you to consider.”
“We heard you have an interest in the daughter of the Left Prime Minister’s family. We’ve investigated; she’s a good child. If you truly have feelings for her, We can arrange the marriage for you,” pausing for a moment, the emperor continued, “At your age, it’s time to marry.”
‘Was this an attempt to control him through marriage?’